The Raven Boys is the first installment of the Raven Cycle series, followed by The Dream Thieves (2013), Blue Lily, Lily Blue (2014), and The Raven King (2016). As the introduction to the world and story, The Raven Boys brings the titular boys into contact with the supernatural world via Blue and the ley line, and elements such as the prophecy surrounding Blue’s kiss and the search for King Glendower are continued through the rest of the books. The love triangle between Blue, Gansey, and Adam is also explored, backdropped by the consequences Blue’s kiss will bring. Secondary characters in The Raven Boys, such as Blue’s mother, Calla, and Persephone, play larger roles as the series continues, and the supernatural elements become a larger force against which the group must work.

While The Raven Boys focuses primarily on Blue and her new role amid the Aglionby boys, the other books follow different characters along their unfolding journeys. The Dream Thieves centers around Ronan and the secret that killed his father—that he could make objects from dreams real, an ability that Ronan shares. The second installment sees this ability nearly destroying the ley line and helps Ronan overcome his self-loathing to set magic right again.